Joan was born to Gerald and Jeanne Braun in Tulsa, Oklahoma August 31, 1958. After spending most of her childhood in Oklahoma, Joan’s family relocated to Littleton, Colorado, where she graduated from Arapahoe High School. She stayed in Colorado for college, where she attended the University of Colorado at Boulder – go Buffs! She met her husband, Russell Brent Davis, on a blind date when they were both living in the Denver area. They were married at the Notre Dame Catholic Church in Denver on July 21, 1984. Their first of what would be many moves together was from Denver to Burnsville, MN, where their only daughter, Kathryn (Katie), was born. Joan and Russell lived in Illinois, Texas, Colorado, and North Carolina before settling in Irving, Texas in 2016.
For most of their daughter’s childhood, Joan was a devoted stay-at-home mom who regularly volunteered at Katie’s schools and was always active in volunteering organizations like Junior League. Like Joan, Katie graduated from Arapahoe High School. Through her involvement with Littleton Public Schools while Katie was a student there, Joan agreed to become the Poms coach for the Arapahoe High School “Toms” when they were in need of a coach. She later became the Poms coach at Chaparral High School, where she also worked as an Administrative Assistant, first at the high school and then at Douglas County School District.
Moving around as much as they did for Russell’s job made Joan somewhat of an expert at moving. After moving to North Carolina, Joan decided to make a career out of it by becoming a broker and realtor in 2007. She was licensed in both North Carolina and Texas. As an agent with Compass, Joan loved helping others through the entire process of finding a new home. She considered her clients her friends and was known for providing exemplary customer service. She won awards throughout her 16-year career as a real estate agent and was most recently recognized in D Magazine as a Top Residential Real Estate Producer in 2023.
Outside of her work as a real estate agent, Joan was an active member of the community. As a Delta Delta Delta alumnae, Joan served on the Dallas Panhellenic Scholarship fund. She has been a member of the Junior League since 1997 and was a Sustainer in the Junior League of Dallas. She was just recently elected President of the Board for Hackberry Creek’s Homeowners Association. She also helped organize and run neighborhood events like Taste of Hackberry Creek. She participated in the Hackberry Creek Women’s Group’s annual golf tournament, both as a golfer and a sponsor. This last spring and summer she started playing ‘America’s fastest-growing sport’ – pickleball - at Hackberry Creek Country Club.
In addition to her more official community and volunteering roles, Joan was very passionate about animal rescues, cancer research, and Alzheimer’s research. She regularly supported a vast number of charities including Operation Kindness, DFW Labrador Rescue, Warrior Canine Connection, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Lymphoma and Leukemia Society, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Alzheimer’s Association. When asked to help with anything, it was hard for Joan to say no to anyone. She was known for her extreme generosity and selflessness.
Joan spent her free time with her friends and family. With her big, warm smile and infectious laugh, Joan was able to light up any room that she walked into. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend who brought joy to many people.
Joan is survived by her husband of 39 years Russ Davis; daughter, Katie Davis; mother, Jeanne Braun, and siblings Jerry and Laura Braun (Dallas), Jim and Petra Braun (Alpharetta), and Janet and David Cunningham (Houston). She was beloved by her eight nieces. Joan will be missed deeply but we are all grateful for her presence in our lives and she will live forever in our hearts. She will join her father Gerald Braun in heaven.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Visitation will be at 9:30am and the Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am. Calvary Hill Funeral Home in Dallas (3235 Lombardy Lane). A reception will be held at Hackberry Creek Country Club from 11:30am to 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s honor may be made to Operation Kindness or St. Jude’s.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gonzalezfuneralsdallas.com for the Davis family.
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